UAE | Heritage and Culture
Khairat's sound of music
Renowned Egyptian composer Omar Khairat talks about the power of his art.
- By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
- Published: 00:11 May 4, 2008
- Image Credit: Supplied photo
- Al Fayah Choir, on the second night of the festival, maestro Berkev Taslakian led the choir to perform famous songs in French, Arabic, English and Armenian.
Everywhere, arts are the same and they are not limited as an ancient form of expression," says Omar Khairat, Egyptian
musician and composer. Khairat, whose career took him from playing the classics on the grand piano, to a spell on the drums for a jazz band in Cairo and back to the piano, opened the Sounds of Arabia festival at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi last Thursday. He says he finds its hard to express him self in words"I express myself through music only".
He's considered one of the rare Arab artists who opted to be a composer."Arab culture is more concerned with songs than music, and I'm happy to be given the gift to express myself differently," he said.
Vital influence
“It's known that music has a vital influence on human behaviour, it adds beauty to our lives." he added. Since he graduated from the music academy in Egypt, Khairat is on a mission to bring the culture of music to the Arab world.
While Khairat continued his studies at Trinity College, in London, he got involved in international popular music and jazz. In 1979, he began his career as a pianist and soon his work started to gain recognition. The score for the popular film The Night of Fatima's Arrest was his first major work. It was the first film score to be released on audio cassette in Egypt, becoming a milestone in the music industry in the Middle East.
Mission
Now Khairat's mission is to continue what his uncle, the late composer Abu Baker Khairat started."He established the
institution of music to develop Arab music and at the same time present our deeply-rooted music to the West," he said.
“Music brings nations together with its unlimited expressions. That's the reason why everybody enjoys Chopin, Beethoven and other composers from all over the world. Music is a feeling," he added.
Khairat, who gained respect and recognition as he performed all over the world, said:"I think I leave a good impression about Arab music in all my concerts. It's touching to see Westerners enjoying our music as we enjoy theirs."
Don't miss it
The Sounds of Arabia festival encompasses more than two thousand years of unique music culture over six nights of
exceptional Arabic music and award- winning documentary films.
The films are related to music in the Arab world and its influence on people.
The festival, which started on May 1, will run until May 6. All concerts are held in the Cultural Foundation of Abu Dhabi and entrance is free.
More from UAE Heritage & Culture
More from UAE
Covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle
Latest news
- For this maestro, it's all about the sound
- Experts can't tell old instruments from new
- Sound of violins
- Facilitators: Helping others find joy
- Get friends on board, zip away with Salik bonus
- Volunteers remove garbage from Mamzar beach
- Clean-up campaign set to raise awareness
- Sharjah landmarks bathed in light
- In the pursuit of happiness
- Shaikh Mohammad meets South Korea leader
- Dubai hospitals debut life-saving procedure
- New rules for Abu Dhabi buildings
- UK’s top Arab advocacy group in need of aid
- Four poised to chase their dreams
- 10 things not to do on Valentine's Day
Community Reports
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
